Spring is here, but before we fully embrace warmer weather, let’s take one last hurrah for winter with a family hike in Panarotta!

Panarotta is a special place for us, brimming with cherished memories. It’s where we first learned to ski, where dad spent winters attempting the most daring jumps. Returning here always evokes a sense of nostalgia. While the ski lifts are closed, you can still access the slopes for hiking or skiing with mountaineering equipment. This makes Panarotta perfect for beginners or families with young children looking for a fun family hike in Panarotta.

Getting To Panarotta

Reaching Panarotta by car is easy with two options:

• A shorter, faster route from the village of Assizi.
• A longer, smoother road from Levico.

Parking depends on your planned trip. Here are some options:

• Short Hike: Chalet Panarotta
• Longer Hike/Ski: Malga Montagna Granda or ex Rigolor lift starting point (leads to Cima Panarotta, the mountain peak).

Choosing Your Adventure

We recommend starting from Malga Montagna Granda for a sunny and manageable climb if you plan to ski. For hiking and sledding with young children, the shorter route from Chalet Panarotta is ideal for your family hike in Panarotta.

If walking isn’t your preference, you can opt to stop at the Panarotta Chalet for some sledding fun in the vicinity (and even for a break, if the Chalet is open). However, I assure you, a brief stroll will lead you to a breathtaking vista, so it’s definitely worth considering!

The hike or ski to Cima Panarotta takes about 40 minutes (short) or 1 hour (longer excursion, with skis).

Cima Panarotta, at 2,000 meters altitude, offers breathtaking panoramic views from the summit of Panarotta Mountain. Here, you can still see the remains of the old Rigolor gondola that once whisked skiers and snowboarders up the mountain. The summit offers stunning views of the Caldonazzo and Levico lakes, and the surrounding mountains.

While you may be tempted to climb further, we advise against it with your baby due to steep terrain and challenging descent. For those eager to explore more, a family member can ascend alone. Many mountaineering skiers proceed to Cima Fravort, where a new bivouac offers respite, but this section isn’t recommended for family trips due to its difficulty.

The Fun Sledding Descent

Sledding down the abandoned slopes is a blast! There are steep sections where you might need to help the sled along, but the bumpy terrain can be part of the fun, especially for little ones!

Safety First: Sledding is not officially maintained here, so be cautious, especially with young children. Make sure you have enough skiing experience before carrying a child on your back while skiing or sledding. For a more family-friendly option with a dedicated sled track, check out our winter excursion to Montanara Lodge.

This trip marked our final hurrah for winter. We embraced the melting snow and playful sledding, even though the warm weather made it a touch awkward – a bittersweet reminder of the “Panarotta Splash,” a past winter event where skiers and snowboarders showcased their skills over a pool of water. Check out this video – you might even spot a young Tribe Daddy in action!

To extend the fun after your exhilarating sledding session, the Panarotta Chalet offers a small playground for little ones to enjoy.

Panarotta may not have all the comforts of a typical resort, but it offers the peacefulness of the mountains and a nostalgic trip down memory lane. So come explore Panarotta and embrace the magic of the changing seasons!